Kristen Roos - Bok

Music Video, 2024

From the album Universal Synthesizer Interface VOL III

Hotham Sound Recordings & We Are Busy Bodies, 2024

WARNING: This video contains flashing lights that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.

Music by Kristen Roos

Bok is the second single from Universal Synthesizer Interface VOL III. Continuing with research into early MIDI sequencing software for personal computers, Kristen focuses exclusively on the most obscure of Intelligent Music’s software creations - UpBeat: The Intelligent Rhythm Sequencer, released in 1987. Hailed by reviewers of the time as ‘the world’s best drum machine.’

Video by Kerim Safa

Bok music video is a low-resolution synesthetic experience in two colors. Initially, simple geometric shapes symbolize foundational musical components, crafting an abstract composition. As the piece evolves, additional visual components intrude, mirroring the introduction of new musical textures such as gritty synths and more complex rhythmic layers, propelling the composition into a dynamic crescendo. Drawing inspiration from early 20th-century visual music as well as early computer graphics, this piece is a continuation of my exploration into pixel-based art, blending historical influences with modern techniques.

This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.